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White Sox invite 20 players to Spring Training

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with right-handed pitchers Jeff Gray and Ramon Troncoso, left-hander David Purcey, catcher Bryan Anderson, infielders Josh Bell and Steve Tolleson and outfielder Stefan Gartrell. All seven players, in addition to 13 players within the White Sox system, have received non-roster invites to the club’s spring training camp in Glendale, Ariz.

Right-handers Erik Johnson and Jacob Petricka, left-handers Daniel Moskos and Scott Snodgress, catchers Michael Blanke and Kevan Smith, infielders Seth Loman, Tyler Saladino, Carlos Sanchez, Marcus Semien and Andy Wilkins and outfielders Trayce Thompson and Keenyn Walker all received invites to major-league camp from within the organization. Seven of the 20 spring training invitees have major-league experience, while five are rated among the organization’s Top 10 Prospects by Baseball America.

Johnson, 23, enters the season ranked by Baseball America as the No. 4 Prospect and possessing the Best Slider in the White Sox organization. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder combined to go 6-5 with a 2.34 ERA (24 ER/92.1 IP) and 87 strikeouts over 17 starts between Class A Kannapolis and Class A Winston-Salem last season. He was selected by the White Sox in the second round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.

Sanchez enters the season rated by Baseball America as the No. 3 Prospect, Best Hitter for Average and Best Infielder in the White Sox organization. The 20-year-old led all Sox minor-leaguers in average (.323) and hits (169) in 2012. He was named to the Carolina League postseason All-Star Team.

Snodgress, 23, enters the season ranked by Baseball America as the No. 6 Prospect in the organization. The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder went a combined 7-3 with a 3.00 ERA (47 ER/141.0 IP) and 128 strikeouts over 27 starts between Kannapolis and Winston-Salem last season. He led all White Sox farmhands in strikeouts and ranked second in ERA.

Thompson, 21, enters the season rated by Baseball America as the No. 2 Prospect in the White Sox organization. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound outfielder led the CL in RBI (90) and extra-base hits (55) and tied for the league lead in home runs (22) in 2012. Thompson was selected by the Sox in the second round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. His brother, Klay, currently plays in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors. His father, Mychal, was selected by the Portland Trailblazers with the number one pick in the 1978 NBA Draft.

Walker, the White Sox first pick in 2011 (47th overall), enters the season ranked by Baseball America as the No. 5 Prospect and Fastest Baserunner in the organization. The 22-year-old combined to hit .267 (109-409) with 22 doubles, six triples, four home runs, 55 RBI and 56 stolen bases over 111 games with Kannapolis and Winston-Salem last season. Walker’s 56 stolen bases were the most by a Sox minor leaguer since 2003.

White Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Tuesday, February 12, with physicals and a workout scheduled for the same day. Position players will report and undergo physicals on Sunday, February 17. The first full-squad workout also will take place on that day.